I was in that building a couple of times. I remember seeing smoke detectors and fire alarms, but I didn't recall sprinklers. Given the flamable substances in the building, I would have to think that that place would not have been grandfathered as the basic regs for fire safety in that environment are older than that building, and certainly older than after their major renovation in the 80's-90's. Sad that three people were hurt.

Brad wrote:Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe standard fire sprinklers will not save a building, they are there to buy occupants more time to escape the from the building?

Correct and I understand it too. There is a benefit though in getting things slowed down with a sprinkler system so that there is more time for a fire department response. A second alarm was called in immediately after the first response as I understand it. It is only guessing but a sprinkler system could have slowed progression down enough to let the first on the scene have a chance to put it out.

The city doesn't have the ability to unilaterally require a building to do xyz updates. They can only enforce them if they come to the city for a permit. If nothing major changed it'd still be grandfathered in.

OmahaJaysCU wrote:The city doesn't have the ability to unilaterally require a building to do xyz updates. They can only enforce them if they come to the city for a permit. If nothing major changed it'd still be grandfathered in.

bigredmed wrote: Given the flamable substances in the building, I would have to think that that place would not have been grandfathered as the basic regs for fire safety in that environment are older than that building, and certainly older than after their major renovation in the 80's-90's.

Joe_Sovereign wrote:Fire in abandoned building at 16th and Nicholas in North Downtown. Building was scheduled to be demolished.

I heard them say on the radio that there was a dumpster fire not to far from here and not long after this was reported. Never heard any more follow up but they did say it was leading to the question that both might have been suspicious in nature.

As the storms rolled through last night / this morning it looks like the house that Aaron Graham's family lived in near Gretna was hit by lightning and lost to fire. Former Husker and NFL player for those that do not know.

No more of a disaster than someone who looses all their positions and a $150,000 residence but it is a big loss all the same.

nebugeater wrote:No more of a disaster than someone who looses all their positions and a $150,000 residence but it is a big loss all the same.

I live not too far from there (although in an area with paved streets and hydrants). That area is really isolated. Dirt roads and no city water from what I understand. The fire department had to truck in water. It's down in a valley and I would have expected the lightning to hit something higher up, like our neighborhood!

Dundeemaha wrote:This was being converted in to their new Burger/Milkshake restaurant "Rogue"

I thought the new location opened already. Voodoo's Facebook page at one time said that Rogue was not associated with Voodoo whatsoever, even wished the new owners well... but the OWH coverage on the fire said its the same owner. The closed for repairs on the Voodoo mislead several patrons. There was a non so nice debate on that same Facebook post.

Dundeemaha wrote:This was being converted in to their new Burger/Milkshake restaurant "Rogue"

I thought the new location opened already. Voodoo's Facebook page at one time said that Rogue was not associated with Voodoo whatsoever, even wished the new owners well... but the OWH coverage on the fire said its the same owner. The closed for repairs on the Voodoo mislead several patrons. There was a non so nice debate on that same Facebook post.

debradomayer wrote:Turns out discarded smoking materials. Thank goodness. But has anyone else noticed all the fires in North Omaha since last fall? Several in vacant buildings/houses. Seems to be a fire bug

There was a rash of fires in Lincoln too over the last few months. a few weeks back they got a person that was starting them